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1696-E? [Unknown Mint, possibly Tours] Recoined Sol de 15 Deniers, Gadoury 92.

Currency:CAD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:150.00 CAD Estimated At:400.00 - 500.00 CAD
1696-E? [Unknown Mint, possibly Tours] Recoined Sol de 15 Deniers, Gadoury 92.

Buyer’s Premiums will be added on all items as per the Terms & Conditions of the sale. Invoices will be emailed out after The Toronto Coin Expo.

1696-E? [Unknown Mint, possibly Tours] Recoined Sol de 15 Deniers, Gadoury 92. Choice Very Fine, boldly overstruck on an earlier, larger douzain that has the 1640 countermark, here visible at the center reverse. The host coin is significantly larger than the dies for the Sol, leaving ample legends from the host on either side, making it easy to identify as a Charles VIII Blanc a la Couronne, which was struck April 24, 1488 – this coin was in circulation for over 150 years before it was countermarked with a fleur-de-lys in 1640, then in circulation for another 50 years before it was recoined into a Sol! One coin, three different denominations in over 200 years – and, amazingly enough, the coin remains attractive and with significant eye popping effect giving the strong undertype and overstrike. Lovely medium golden hue, no real marks or damage. Even better than the overstrike is the fact that the host coin is the type of countermark known as Vlack 1d, a type that Vlack listed as unreported and which remains extremely rare with a 1640 countermark (we offered three different types earlier in this sale, including one on this exact type). This is undoubtedly one of the earliest known host coins for a Recoined Sol – Gadoury gives the Francois I issues as the earliest – that was two kings and nearly 75 years after this one, which is pretty amazing! This collection tried to incorporate issues with date and mintmark both visible or ascertainable – but exceptions were made when the coin warranted it, and this one certainly does! We note that what is visible of the different on the obverse does closely resemble that used at the Tours mint in this era (the mark for Charles I Thomas), and this is one of just two mints for this date that Gadoury does list as being overstruck on these earlier, large douzains. A visually stunning overstrike.